Paracultural Calendar for Aug 9

[Mark Thibodeau]

<http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LqiqWRrdHX4/TX9XHvYIooI/AAAAAAAABqM/a2FTabGMO5Y/s400/leaning-tower-of-pisa.jpg>

On this day in *1173*, construction of the campanile of the cathedral of
Pisa – now known as the *Leaning Tower of Pisa*– begins. It will take two
centuries to complete, and yet STILL they fuck the damn thing up!

***

On this day in *1483*, the Sistine Chapel opens for public viewing in Rome
with the celebration of a Mass.

***

On this day in *1854*, American philosopher-writer *Henry David
Thoreau* publishes
his masterpiece, *Walden*.

***

On this day in *1930*, the sexiest little cartoon character of all time, *Betty
Boop*, makes her debut in *Dizzy Dishes*.

***

On this day in *1936*, American Olympian *Jesse Owens* throws a wrench
into *Adolf
Hitler*'s plans to use the Berlin Olympics as a showcase for the
superiority of Aryan Nazi Supermen when he wins his fourth gold medal of
the games. The first person to run over and congratulate Jesse, in full
view of a flustered Fuhrer, was the giant, smiling Nazi *Luz Long*, about
whom Jesse Owens would later write: "You could melt down all the medals and
cups I have, and they wouldn't be a plating on the 24-carat friendship I
felt for Luz Long."

***

On this day in *1942*, Indian leader *Mahatma Gandhi* is arrested in Bombay
by British forces, launching the Quit India Movement.

***

On this day in *1944*, the United States Forest Service and the Wartime
Advertising Council release posters featuring*Smokey Bear* for the first
time.

***

On this day in *1945*, the second part of the atom bomb one-two punch
landed by the USA against Japan takes place when the city of *Nagasaki* is
devastated by an atomic bomb called *Fat Man.*  39,000 people are killed
instantly in this incredible *international horror
<http://thoughtmaybe.com/nagasaki-the-horror-of-fat-man/>*.

***

On this day in *1965*, the island/city of *Singapore* becomes the first
(and so far only) nation in history to gain independence (from Malaysia)
against its will.

***

On this day in *1969*, members of *Charles Manson*'s "family" butcher *Sharon
Tate* and four of her friends in Beverly Hills. The next day,Manson - upset
with his underlings for their lack of murderous panache - orders his crew
out on*another* raid "to show you how it's done." Charlie had forgotten one
thing, however: his all-consuming cowardice. The trash-talking,
acid-gobbling midget freak had to leave the room before his brain-fried
followers slaughtered the victims that Charlie, himself, had hand-picked...
the *LaBianca* family. If you're at all interested in the background and
different theories about what really went down back then in those crazy,
acid-hazy days, then you should most definitely read*Adam Gorightly*'s
incredible book, *The Shadow Over Santa Suzana: Black Magic, Mind Control
and the Manson Family Mythos
<http://tonecoloralchemy.com/pages/test-podcast/>*.

***

On this day in *1974*, as a direct result of the *Watergate* scandal, *Richard
Nixon* becomes the first President of the United States to resign from
office. His Vice President, *Gerald Ford*, becomes president.
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